BUGGER (UP) Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

bugger (up)

verb

ˈbə-gər

Definition of bugger (up)

as in to fumble

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugger (up)

Verb

Lake Brantley appeared to have picked up the first down on third down but the ball was fumbled backwards to put the Patriots in fourth and long.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
After Carter Jensen flew out to deep center field, Caglianone tagged from second base and kept running toward home as outfielder Andy Pages fumbled the baseball out of his glove.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

No one knows when a sedentary 75-year-old economist will kick the bucket or a derecho wind will blow the roof off a Roseville retirement condo, but there are actuarial records giving probabilities for either happening.

— Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
This debris can get sucked into your ductwork or blown back into the house.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

In the end, though, neither an explosion nor a giant spill of fluid that could foul up waterways and the ocean occurred.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
An incorrect connection or approach can foul up a line, damage a plane or cause an accident.

— Tara Copp The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2026

Definition of foul up

Verb

Every time a player screwed up, the coaching staff and his teammates received a text message, calling out both the infraction and the guilty party.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
That growth is mostly a testament to how screwed up our school bus system currently is.

— Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of screw up

Verb

Campione said her campaign was focused on protecting rural lands from being annexed into cities for rural subdivisions and stopping activities that could ruin water quality or override property rights.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
But the mellow vibes are ruined when a goofy case of mistaken identity results in Frankie coming home with a briefcase containing several vials of a glowing orange goo.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruin

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Browse Nearby Words

buggers (up)

bugger (up)

buggies

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“Bugger (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugger%20%28up%29. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bugger (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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